Improvement in skylights



J. L. OAKLEY. Sky-Light.

No. 222,938. Patehted Dec. 23, 1879.

W C a 224, 227292; 2

UNITED [STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES L. OAKLEY, OF GREENSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

IM PROVEMENT IN SKYLIGHTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,938, dated December 23, 1879 application filed September 11, 1879.

and contraction and warping of the frame.

without danger of fracturing the glass.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a skylight, showing my improvement. Fig. 2 is a transverse section.

A represents the transverse bars, and B the longitudinal bars, constituting the supportingframe. In the center of each bar B is a strip or rib, a, rounded at the upper edge. Between said strips lie the plates 71, of glass, one overlapping the other, in the usual manner, and to these strips are secured, by screws or otherwise, cap-plates O, of metal or other elastic material, overlapping at the ends, as shown, and the edges of which overlap those of the glass plates, and confine and press the latter against the strips B with an elastic pressure.

By this means the panes are securely retained; yet, should the frame expand, contract, or warp, the plates G will yield sufficiently to prevent the fracture of the glass.

The spring-plates O, bearing closely upon the panes, will, under most circumstances, prevent water from passing to the edges of the panes. Should any of the joints leak, however, the access of water to the interior is prevented by means of channels i, cut in the faces of the strips B to occupy a position beneath the edges of the panes. Any water dripping from the panes will be received and carried ofl' by said channels.

It will be seen that there is a separate plate, G, to each side of each pane, so that the edges of the plate may lie close along the glass, and that when so arranged the upper end of each strip 0 serves as a hearin g for the pane above, preventing it from sliding downward.

I am aware that continuous wood strips have been used; but these cannot hear closely on all the panes without being cut to fit each, which is practicallyimpossible. Moreover, the swelling of the strips produces undue pressure upon and cracks the glass.

The above-described structure, while most effective, is' so simple that it can be readily erected by workmen of ordinary skill.

I claim-- The combination of the frame A B, its strips to, the panes b, confined between the strips a, and the elastic plates 0, overlapping each other, secured to the strips a, and bearing upon the panes, and each serving asa bearing for the pane above, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES LAWRENOE OAKLEY.

Witnesses: t

R. S. DASHIELL, NEIL ELLINGTON. 

